I'm writing to you on an urgent matter concerning the Drakes Bay Oyster Company.

As you all know, I offer fresh oysters from this farm and have maintained a business relationship with the Lunny Family for years.

Drakes Bay Oyster Farm, a beautiful and productive resource on the Point Reyes Peninsula, is in imminent danger of being a thing of the past. For generations this family farm, completely surrounded by the other family ranches and farms in the working landscape of the Point Reyes National Seashore, has been a popular visitor destination. The oyster farm's 40-year renewable lease expires on November 30th.

The dispute with the Federal Government is now nearing an end as Ken Salazar, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior is to decide on the fate of this historic oyster farm located within the working landscapes of the Point Reyes National Seashore.

To gain a better understanding of the issues involved please visit the Drakes Bay Family Farms website and view the two videos that explain the issue in detail.

You can also help by signing this petition! As I write this note, over 8292 supporters have signed the petition. Please add your voice to this cause and help to show strong community support for the Lunny Family. You can also forward this note to others so that we can leverage the community support this deserves.

I support Drakes Bay Oyster Company in this matter. You can view a copy of my letter to the Superintendent of the Point Reyes National Seashore during the period for public comment last year.

This letter is in response to the National Park Service request for comments on it'sEnvironmental Impact Statement concerning a renewable Special Use Permit forDrakes Bay Oyster Company.

My name is James J. Baum. I am the owner of Marin Community Farm Stands & CSA, a Marin County produce market for local and sustainable agriculture. My business slogan is: Seasonal, Organic and Locally grown. I conduct business throughout Marin County California in the Communities of San Anselmo, Fairfax, San Geronimo, Woodacre and Mill Valley. I have known the Lunny Family and conducted business with Drakes Bay Oyster Company for several years. The most important issue before my customers is local production of high quality organic farm produce and seafood. The communities I serve have identified and supported the local economy of Marin County because they are able to purchase incredible produce that is of exceptional quality.

The Drakes Bay Oyster Company produces amazing sea food that has no equal,anywhere. It is cultivated under a major commitment to sustainable methods and landuse management. The Lunny Family has documented their commitment to thesebusiness practices on their websites, newsletters and public statements. My voice must be added to the din of outrage that the Marin Community has already begun to show to a Federal agency, the National Park Service, seeking to displace a local business that does what the community it serves wants. The government is misguided in it's efforts to withdraw the Special Use Permit for the following reasons.

Under Alternative A, restoring the area to "wilderness" status is extremely costly ineconomic terms. The destruction of infrastructure already in place will have unforeseen consequences such as pollution. Removing from seed beds all the infrastructure will cost money. Who is to fund this? In fact, the EPS itself may be subject to Federal Budget cuts in order to reduce the federal deficit. This effort therefore will result in a needless loss of jobs, reduced economic growth and local commerce, loss of sustainability and good land management. It will also put in place a bureaucratic management process that could not possibly be funded for maintaining, inspecting, managing, certifying, documenting a new restored so called wilderness. So, therefore, the Alternative A solution as proposed is unworkable and will inflict damage to the local economy by removing infrastructures that are already in place and have a useful economic purpose. Moreover, the wilderness designation does not guarantee a positive result for the West Marin communities. It will inhibit tourism, economic activity, commerce, investment. etc. and may well result in pollution and damage to the environment during the removal process, cause severe economic hardship to DBOC and may force DBOC into limbo with a possible bankruptcy filing in order to protect its assets.

Oyster cultivation in these pristine waters has been an historical industry for this region. Man is also part of nature and has rights to survive. When you weigh out the pros and cons to the preservation of natural lands and habitat and the balance of shell fish production and how this closure would affect the sea food industry as a whole, we have to be extremely careful. Our oceans are over fished every year. This closure would further weaken our food chain. Shell fish production is a necessity for a stable seafood industry. Closure of the last canary in California along with 40% of California's oysters, just seems the wrong way to go.

I support the issuance of a renewable permit for Drakes Bay Oyster Company. DBOC must be allowed to continue the existing uses pursuant to the existing California Department of Fish and Game leases in place since 1934.

Dear Friends,Just a note to say thank you for a wonderful season at the San Anselmo Organic Farm Stand and the Woodacre Organic Farm Stand. Due to the coming changeover to daylight savings time with shorter days we are making schedule changes to our Farm Stands. The San Anselmo, Woodacre, Ross, and San Geronimo Organic Farm Stands are closing for the season.If the weather cooperates, we will email all our customers for special pop-up farm stands. Please check your email for our schedule and offerings in the days ahead. We are also in the process of negotiating a permanent home for the Farm Stands in Marin County and we will have more to share with you on this subject soon. Our goal is to bring to you a year-round enhanced Farm Stand & CSA which may include extended offerings such as Milk, Fresh Juices, Sustainable Seafood, Meats and Poultry as well as seasonal produce and local artisan products. Thank you all once again for your support! Please visit our website and learn more about Marin Community Farm Stands & CSA.Thanks again for supporting local sustainable agriculture and following the Marin Community Farm Stands & CSA. As you know, I offer only the finest produce and products that are seasonal, organic, and locally grown. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.Best regards, James Baum Marin Community Farm StandsPO Box 134San Geronimo CA, 94963 (415) 497-9496james@communityfarmstands.comAbout MCFS & CSAFor the past 10 years Marin Community Farm Stands has brought the bounty of Marin Organic produce to the towns of Ross, San Anselmo, San Geronimo and Woodacre. MCFS represents the cooperative efforts of over 20 Marin Organic producers and artisans from the communities of Bolinas, Point Reyes, Inverness, Lagunitas, Nicasio, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Tomales, San Anselmo and Fairfax. We are a Marin Organic Supporting Business Member.